Adjustable CODEC with adjustable parameters

Abstract

An audio digital CODEC can be connected to a plurality of digital transmission facilities. The CODEC has a plurality of programmable compression schemes which are upgradeable and downloadable. One of the programmable compression schemes is provided with various parameters that when changed affect the quality of the resultant audio. These psycho-acoustic parameters include the standard ISO parameters and additional parameters and can be monitored and controlled by a user.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An adjustable CODEC for compression and decompression of signals comprising: 
       an input for receiving an audio signal;  
       a memory storage device having a plurality of audio compression schemes stored thereon for compressing said audio signal;  
       an encoder for forming a first compressed digital bit stream, said encoder cooperatively connected to said memory storage device;  
       at least one interface selectively connecting an output from said encoder to a node of a selected first one of a plurality of digital transmission facilities;  
       a decoder having a decompression unit having a plurality of programmed audio decompression schemes for decompressing a received compressed digital data bit stream into a decompressed signal;  
       an input of said decoder selectively connected by said at least one interface to said node of said selected first one of said plurality of digital transmission facilities; and  
       an output connected to said decoder for outputting said decompressed signal.  
     
     
       2. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  1  wherein said one of a plurality of digital transmission facilities is selected from the group consisting of: PCM, conventional telephone lines, ISDN, T1, E1, and RF transmission facilities including spread spectrum RF transmission and satellite links. 
     
     
       3. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  1  wherein said CODEC can be connected to a plurality of digital transmission facilities. 
     
     
       4. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  1  wherein a selected one of said plurality of compression schemes can be selected by a user. 
     
     
       5. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  4  wherein said selected one of said plurality of compression schemes can be selected by said user. 
     
     
       6. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  4  wherein said selected one of said plurality of decompression schemes can be selected based on said one of said plurality of compression schemes utilized. 
     
     
       7. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  1  wherein said CODEC can be remotely controlled by a host computer. 
     
     
       8. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  1  wherein said CODEC can be programmed by said user to transmit said compressed digital bit stream over another of said plurality of digital transmission facilities. 
     
     
       9. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  1  wherein a selected second one of said plurality of digital transmission facilities can be automatically selected if said first one of said plurality of digital transmission facilities fails. 
     
     
       10. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  9  further comprising speed dialing. 
     
     
       11. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  1  whereby said CODEC can be interfaced to a local area network. 
     
     
       12. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  1  further comprising multiplexing digital non-audio information with said compressed digital bit stream. 
     
     
       13. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  12  wherein said non-audio information is selected from the group consisting of: text, video and graphic information. 
     
     
       14. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  13  wherein said CODEC can transmit and receive control information along with said non-audio information. 
     
     
       15. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  12  wherein said digital non-audio information is compressed. 
     
     
       16. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  1  wherein ancillary information is provided to said encoder directly from an external source. 
     
     
       17. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  16  wherein said ancillary information is digital. 
     
     
       18. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  16  wherein said ancillary information comprises a plurality of external signals multiplexed into a composite ancillary bit stream. 
     
     
       19. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  1  whereby said CODEC can store and retrieve information on and from an electronic storage medium. 
     
     
       20. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  19  wherein said electronic storage medium further comprises RAM, ROM, a magnetic disk drive, and an optical disk drive. 
     
     
       21. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  1  further comprising an ancillary digital signal input directly to said CODEC. 
     
     
       22. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  1  additionally encompassing a rate adaptation of signals routine for inputting said digital audio signal and outputting said decompressed signal at a first rate; and compressing said first digital bit stream and decompressing said first compressed digital bit stream at a second rate. 
     
     
       23. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  22  wherein said rate adaptation of signals routine can be synchronized to external clock sources. 
     
     
       24. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  1  further comprising a plurality of input/output digital interface modules interfacing said first compressed digital bit stream with a corresponding plurality of transmission facilities. 
     
     
       25. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  24  wherein said digital interface module stores digital information as said information becomes available. 
     
     
       26. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  25  wherein said stored digital information can be edited and used after being stored. 
     
     
       27. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  24  wherein one of said plurality of digital interface modules is a satellite receiver module. 
     
     
       28. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  27  wherein said satellite receiver module can receive audio, video, text and graphic information. 
     
     
       29. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  28  wherein said audio, video, text and graphic information can be decoded and decompressed by said CODEC. 
     
     
       30. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  1  further comprising a plurality of input digital interface modules interfacing return signals from a selected one of a plurality of external sources with said decoder for decoding and decompression. 
     
     
       31. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  30  wherein one of said plurality of digital interface module stores digital information as said information becomes available. 
     
     
       32. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  31  wherein said stored digital information can be edited and used after being stored. 
     
     
       33. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  30  wherein said digital interface module is a satellite receiver module. 
     
     
       34. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  33  wherein said satellite receiver module can receive audio, video, text and graphic information. 
     
     
       35. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  34  wherein said audio, video, text and graphic information can be decoded and decompressed by said CODEC. 
     
     
       36. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  1  further comprising a multiplexer. 
     
     
       37. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  36  wherein a data rate for said multiplexer is set by software command. 
     
     
       38. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  37  wherein said software command is provided by remote control connections. 
     
     
       39. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  37  wherein said software command is provided by keypad entry. 
     
     
       40. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  36  wherein ancillary data can be routed to said multiplexer by a software command. 
     
     
       41. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  36  wherein an output from said multiplexer is connected to an input of said encoder. 
     
     
       42. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  36  wherein ancillary data can be routed directly to said encoder without multiplexing. 
     
     
       43. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  1  further comprising a plurality of defined digital interface modules. 
     
     
       44. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  43  wherein said digital interface modules can be rearranged and redefined. 
     
     
       45. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  44  wherein said digital interface modules can be redefined by remote control software command. 
     
     
       46. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  43  wherein said digital interface modules can dial outside networks. 
     
     
       47. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  46  wherein said digital interface modules can dial outside networks by single line dialing. 
     
     
       48. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  46  wherein said digital interface modules can dial outside networks by multiple line dialing. 
     
     
       49. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  46  wherein said digital interface modules can automatically reconnect a disconnected outside network connection using said first one of said plurality of digital transmission facilities. 
     
     
       50. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  46  wherein said digital interface modules can reconnect a disconnected outside network connection using an other one of said plurality of digital transmission facilities. 
     
     
       51. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  1  wherein said plurality of audio compression schemes are programmed. 
     
     
       52. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  1  wherein said plurality of audio compression schemes are upgradeable. 
     
     
       53. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  1  wherein said plurality of audio compression schemes are downloadable. 
     
     
       54. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  1  further comprising a digital audio signal input to said CODEC. 
     
     
       55. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  1  further comprising an analog audio signal input to said CODEC. 
     
     
       56. The adjustable CODEC as claimed in claim  1  further comprising a plug-in slot for an interface module. 
     
     
       57. An adjustable CODEC for compression and decompression of signals comprising: 
       an input for receiving an audio signal;  
       an analog to digital converter for converting said audio signal to a digital audio bit stream;  
       a memory storage device having a plurality of audio compression schemes stored thereon for compressing said audio signal;  
       a parameter input unit for inputting and adjusting at least one parameter level of one of said plurality of audio compression schemes;  
       an encoder for forming a first compressed digital bit stream cooperatively connected to said parameter input unit;  
       at least one interface selectively connecting an output from said encoder to a node of a selected first one of a plurality of digital transmission facilities;  
       a decoder having a decompression unit having a plurality of programmed audio decompression schemes for decompressing a received compressed digital data bit stream into a decompressed signal;  
       an input of said decoder selectively connected by said at least one interface to said node of said selected first one of said plurality of digital transmission facilities; and  
       an output connected to said decoder for outputting said decompressed signal.